Hartpury College win 4th consecutive AASE title

Hartpury College, featuring a number of players from the Gloucester Academy Silver Group, played their way to the AASE title on Wednesday at Allianz Park, finishing off another unbeaten campaign by defeating Oaklands College in the final by 20 points to 10.

Hartpury knew they were in for a tough afternoon as they faced an Oaklands team with a host of age grade internationals, and two players who have already represented Saracens at first team level.

On the 4G surface, in dry conditions, the game began at a blistering pace with Hartpury's defensive systems under the microscope from the off.

After absorbing everything Oaklands threw at them, it was Hartpury's turn to break out, and a surge up field saw wing Mike McDonald give the holders the lead on 18 minutes.

More Oaklands pressure followed, as they attempted to find a way through the wall of Hartpury defenders.

The defence held firm, but a series of penalties at the breakdown lead to centre Tom Griffiths being sin binned for a team offence. Despite this, Hartpury managed to hold out further, maintaining a 5-0 lead at the break.

The ferocious pace continued into the second period, with Oakland using the width of the field, playing wide off 10.

A scorching break from George Perkins gave the home side prime field position deep in the Hartpury 22 and, after patient play that saw Oaklands recycle the ball for seven phases, a penalty was eventually given.

From the resulting penalty Connor Reynolds picked up a sloppy pass that evaded the Hartpury defence, to sneak in and score to level up the game.

Oaklands doubled their score when after an initial storming line break by Hayden Stringer; it was Tom Webb who would crash over after two phases. The conversion was missed, but the advantage now with Oaklands, who held a 10-5 lead.

This was soon reduced to 10-8 with scrum half Reece Boughton slotting over a penalty, and giving Hartpury a lift for one final push.

Centre Tom Griffiths then made up for his earlier sin binning with a well taken try to take Hartpury into the driving seat with a 13-8 lead with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.

Hartpury's pack went from strength to strength, and put a stranglehold on the game with some effective tight play, frustrating Oaklands who were aware that time was not on their side.

Hartpury were not finished there, and it was Lewis Ludlow who had the final say, sealing the victory at the end, with a try which was converted by Boughton to ensure Hartpury retained their title.

Hartpury U18s won the AASE league for the sixth year in a row last week beating Filton College in the Final at Allianz Park by 50 points to nil, while Bromsgrove School won their first NatWest U18 Schools Cup.

On loan centre Brendan Macken will make his first start for Gloucester Rugby as the Cherry and Whites resume their Aviva Premiership campaign on Sunday when they take on the Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.